New Survey Reveals 77% of Americans Would Rather Sleep at the Airport Than Have Root Canal Treatment

Data from Sonendo® Inc. Uncovers Strong Consumer Sentiment Toward Root Canal Therapy

Sonendo, Inc. (NYSE: SONX), a leading dental technology company and developer of the GentleWave® Procedure, a less invasive alternative to traditional root canal therapy, today announced the results of its recent survey, which revealed widespread anxiety and fear surrounding traditional root canal treatment without the use of the GentleWave Procedure. The national survey gathered responses from consumers ages 35 and older, with 60% of respondents having previously undergone a root canal procedure.

According to the findings, more than 67% of respondents either strongly agree or agree with the following statement: “I am terrified of getting a root canal procedure.” If faced with needing to get a root canal procedure, more than 80% of respondents would describe their feelings as anxious or scared. Plus, 77% confirmed that they would rather be forced to sleep at the airport after a cancelled flight than undergo a root canal procedure.

Additional key findings of the survey include:

• 58% of respondents said the pain levels during and after the root canal procedure are what scares them most.
• When asked what level of pain a root canal procedure would be most equivalent to, respondents said:
  • Breaking a bone (39%)
  • Burning your hand on the stove (31%)
• 54% of respondents would rather have a colonoscopy than a root canal procedure.
• Nearly 80% of respondents said they would rather give up social media for two weeks than undergo a root canal procedure.

“Being aware of consumers’ strong attitudes towards root canal treatment helps us better understand the literal and perceived pain points of traditional therapy,” said Michael Smith, chief commercial officer of Sonendo. “Based on these findings, it’s safe to say that many people still wince when they think of root canals. While we and the endodontic community recognize there are many misconceptions about root canal therapy, that doesn’t change how a swath of the population feels about the treatment. It’s incumbent on us, alongside the doctors who provide treatment, to help educate prospective patients. With the GentleWave Procedure, we’re on a mission to transform this narrative and will continue to build our consumer education."

The GentleWave Procedure redefines standard root canal treatment with a minimally invasive process that preserves tooth structure and promotes pain-free fast healing. More than 800,000 patients have received the GentleWave Procedure, demonstrating continued adoption and growing preference for this less invasive alternative to traditional root canal treatment.

For more information about Sonendo and the GentleWave System, please visit www.sonendo.com. To find a GentleWave doctor in your area, please visit www.gentlewave.com.

Methodology

The statistically viable survey was conducted by Pollfish, Inc. the week of August 8, 2022 among U.S. adults ages 35+. Data points are rounded to the nearest whole number.

About Sonendo

Sonendo is a commercial-stage medical technology company focused on saving teeth from tooth decay, the most prevalent chronic disease globally. Sonendo developed and manufactures the GentleWave® System, an innovative technology platform designed to treat tooth decay by cleaning and disinfecting the microscopic spaces within teeth without the need to remove tooth structure. The system utilizes a proprietary mechanism of action, which combines procedure fluid optimization, broad-spectrum acoustic energy, and advanced fluid dynamics, to debride and disinfect deep regions of the complex root canal system in a less invasive procedure that preserves tooth structure. The clinical benefits of the GentleWave System when compared to conventional methods of root canal therapy include improved clinical outcomes, such as superior cleaning that is independent of root canal complexity and tooth anatomy, high and rapid rates of healing and minimal to no post-operative pain. In addition, the GentleWave System can improve the workflow and economics of dental practices and offers patients an effective, less invasive, and less painful alternative to traditional root canal therapy.

Sonendo is also the parent company of TDO® Software, the developer of widely used endodontic practice management software solutions, designed to simplify practice workflow. TDO Software integrates practice management, imaging, referral reporting and CBCT imaging, and offers built-in communication with the GentleWave System.

For more information about Sonendo and the GentleWave System, please visit www.sonendo.com. To find a GentleWave doctor in your area, please visit www.gentlewave.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221004005010/en/